U.S. patent application number 13/586839 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-10 for method of conducting operations for a social network application including activity list generation.
Invention is credited to C.S. LEE CRAWFORD.
Application Number | 20130013689 13/586839 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47439322 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130013689 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CRAWFORD; C.S. LEE |
January 10, 2013 |
Method of conducting operations for a social network application
including activity list generation
Abstract
In one embodiment, a method of conducting operations for a
social network application comprises: operating at least one social
network application server for interacting with users of the social
network application; maintaining user accounts for users of the
social network application, the user accounts including data
defining relationships between users of the social network
application; logging activities of users, the logged activities
including real-world activities other than direct use of the social
network application; generating a notification list of recent
activities of users of the social network application, wherein the
notification list includes (1) at least one real-world activity of
a first user of the social network application and (2) at least one
hyperlink to offer for an activity that is directly related to the
at least one real-world activity of the first user.
Inventors: |
CRAWFORD; C.S. LEE; (Irving,
TX) |
Family ID: |
47439322 |
Appl. No.: |
13/586839 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12967040 |
Dec 13, 2010 |
8260725 |
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13586839 |
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12463168 |
May 8, 2009 |
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12967040 |
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12767785 |
Apr 26, 2010 |
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12463168 |
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11747286 |
May 11, 2007 |
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12767785 |
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11623832 |
Jan 17, 2007 |
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11747286 |
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11559438 |
Nov 14, 2006 |
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11623832 |
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60736252 |
Nov 14, 2005 |
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60759303 |
Jan 17, 2006 |
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60773852 |
Feb 16, 2006 |
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60759303 |
Jan 17, 2006 |
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60773852 |
Feb 16, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0259 20130101;
H04L 67/306 20130101; G06Q 99/00 20130101; H04L 67/22 20130101;
G06Q 50/01 20130101; H04W 4/023 20130101; H04W 4/024 20180201; H04W
4/21 20180201; H04W 4/02 20130101; H04W 4/029 20180201; G06Q
30/0255 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0267 20130101; H04L
67/24 20130101; H04W 4/021 20130101; H04W 4/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/204 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A method of communicating information to users of a social
network application, the method comprising: operating at least one
social network application server for interacting with users of the
social network application, wherein at least some of the users of
the social network application are users of wireless computing
devices; providing a first mobile application for interacting with
the social network application, wherein (i) the first mobile
application is further operable to employ geolocation functions of
a respective wireless device to communicate geolocation information
to one or more servers of hardware and software of the social
network application, (ii) the first mobile application is
programmed to upload photos to a respective user account with
text-limited descriptive information manually entered by the
respective user for posting on a webpage of the social network
application for the respective user, and (iii) at least some
entries of text-limited descriptive information communicated from
the first mobile application and received by the one or more
servers of the social network application are indicative of current
activities of respective users; logging activities of users of the
social network application using at least information received from
the first mobile application, wherein the logged activities include
real-world activities of users of the social network application;
receiving app usage information, by one or more servers of hardware
and software, from a plurality of second mobile applications of
different types executing on respective wireless computing devices,
wherein (i) the plurality of second mobile applications include at
least mobile gaming applications, mobile digital content
applications, and shopping-related mobile applications, and (ii)
the second plurality of mobile applications are functionally
integrated with the social network application to share social
network user activities and user activities of the second plurality
of applications; combining app usage information from the second
plurality of mobile applications with social network application
information to create combined activity listings of user activities
for respective users; presenting the combined activity listings to
viewing users in one or more respective webpages by one or more web
servers; and communicating ads according to ad parameters for
distribution to users of the social network application, wherein
the communicating ads are selected, at least in part, using the app
usage information from the plurality of second mobile
applications.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein at least one ad, from the
communicating, is communicated to a respective user that is
currently detected as using one of the plurality of second mobile
applications.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein at least one ad, from the
communicating, is communicated to a respective user that is
currently detected as using the social network application using
the first mobile application.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein at least one ad, from the
communicating, is communicated to a respective user that is
currently detected as using the social network application using a
web browser.
6. The method of claim 2 wherein each of the plurality of second
mobile applications communicate application data with one or more
respective mobile app servers.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein app usage information is
communicated from the one or more respective mobile app servers to
one or more servers of a centralized system for aggregating app
usage information.
8. The method of claim 2 wherein ads from the communicating are
selected on a user-location dependent manner.
9. The method of claim 2 wherein the logging activities includes
logging social interactions between respective users in the social
network application.
10. The method of claim 2 wherein the logging activities includes
detecting a presence of a first user and a second user in a
physical proximity with each other using geolocation information
and associating the detection of such presence with a specific
logged activity.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application (1) is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/463,168, May 8, 2009, which is a
continuation of PCT application number PCT/2007/083987, filed 7
Nov. 2007 (published as WO 2008/082794 A2) which claims priority to
(i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/559,438, filed 14 Nov.
2006; (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/623,832, filed 17
Jan. 2007; (iii) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/864,807, filed 8 Nov. 2006; and (iv) U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/917,638, filed 11 May 2007 and (2) is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/967,040
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/767,785, filed Apr. 26, 2010 which is a continuation-in-part
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/747,286, filed 5 Nov. 2007,
which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/623,832, filed Jan. 17, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/559,438, filed Nov. 14, 2006
(which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/736,252, filed Nov. 14, 2005, U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/759,303, filed Jan. 17, 2006 and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/773,852, filed Feb. 16,
2006); U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/623,832 also claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/759,303,
filed Jan. 17, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 60/773,852, filed Feb. 16, 2006. All of the preceding
applications are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Location based services refer generally to services that
provide information to a user in relation to the location of the
user. Many prior location based services are relatively pedestrian
in nature and provide relatively simple information. An example of
a known location based service is a "weather" service in which the
user's zip code is provided to the service (e.g., through a
conventional HTML webpage, a WAP or other cellular phone interface,
etc.) through a network and the service responds by communicating
the current weather conditions and the forecast for several days.
Other known location based services provide "social" applications
such as allowing users to determine each other's locations, receive
notification when a friend comes within a predetermined distance,
and similar operations. Another type of location based services are
generally referred to as "McDonalds finders" that provide search
results in a map form (e.g., searching for specific locations of
restaurants/stores within a given distance of the user). Other
location based services have proposed delivering various types of
"advertising" (e.g., when a user arrives at an airport, various ads
can be delivered to the user's cellular phone). However, many such
prior advertising location based services are quite simplistic and
do not possess any appreciable intelligence for selecting
advertisements beyond the location of the user.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one embodiment, a method of conducting operations for a
social network application, comprises: generating a notification
list of recent activities of users of the social network
application, wherein the notification list includes (1) at least
one activity within the social network application of a first user
and (2) at least one hyperlink to an offer involving an activity
that is directly related to at least one activity of the first
user, wherein an account of the first user defines at least one
notification rule for controlling visibility of the at least one
activity to other users of the social network application; and
providing the notification list to a second user, that is a friend
of the first user within the social network application, according
to the at least one notification rule of the first user.
[0004] In one embodiment, a method of providing a location based
service (LBS), comprises: (i) receiving location information over a
period of time by one or more software programs from a plurality of
wireless devices belonging to a plurality of subscribers; (ii)
processing the location information to detect that respective
subscribers tend to spend time at one or more locations with one or
more other specific subscribers; (iii) storing data indicative of a
tendency of each such subscriber to spend time with the
subscriber's one or more other specific subscribers; (iv) detecting
whether subscribers are present at locations with one or more
specific subscribers identified in the stored data subsequent to
performance of (ii) and (iii); and (v) comparing ad parameters
against subscriber data, to select ads for communication to
subscribers, wherein the comparing differentiates in selection of
ads for communication to subscribers in response to (iv).
[0005] In another embodiment, the activities identified in the logs
are defined in a hierarchical manner. In another embodiment, the
logs identify when an activity has been completed. In another
embodiment, the logs indicate completion of financial transactions
with merchants.
[0006] In one embodiment, the server for LBS services comprises:
one or multiple databases storing information identifying
subscribers of one or several LBS or other applications, wherein
the one or multiple databases identifies groups of subscribers that
have been detected to be located in close physical proximity on
multiple occasions; one or multiple databases for storing
advertisements to subscribers; code for determining whether
subscribers are currently clustering based upon location
information pertaining to subscribers; and code for selecting and
communicating advertisements to subscribers based on locations of
the subscribers, wherein the code for selecting and communicating
determines selects ads for subscribers depending upon whether
subscribers have been determined to be clustering.
[0007] In another embodiment, a method comprises the operations
performed by the one or more first programs, by the one or more
second programs, and/or the LBS applications.
[0008] In another embodiment, a method of providing a location
based service (LBS), comprises: receiving location information by
one or more software programs from a plurality of wireless devices
belonging to a plurality of subscribers of one or more location
based services; processing the location information, by one or more
software programs, to identify activity of subscribers at merchant
locations; maintaining a respective profile, by one or more
software programs, for each of the plurality of subscribers that
reflects norm shopping activity for the respective subscriber;
comparing information pertaining to current or recent shopping
activity, by one or more software programs, for each subscriber of
the plurality of subscribers against information stored in the
profile of the respective subscriber; selecting ads, by one or more
software programs, for each subscriber of the plurality of
subscribers in relation to the comparing; and communicating, by one
or more software programs, the selected ads to plurality of
wireless devices belonging to the plurality of subscribers.
[0009] The selects ads can be communicate to wireless devices while
the plurality subscribers are conducting current shopping activity.
In another embodiment, each profile comprises one or more activity
norm parameters for a plurality of merchant types.
[0010] In another embodiment, a method communicates information to
users of a social network application. The method comprising:
operating at least one social network application server for
interacting with users of the social network application, wherein
at least some of the users of the social network application are
users of wireless subscriber devices; providing a first mobile
application for interacting with the social network application,
wherein (i) the first mobile application is further operable to
employ geolocation functions of a respective wireless device to
communicate geolocation information to one or more servers of
hardware and software of the social network application, (ii) the
first mobile application is operable to automatically to upload
photos to a respective user account with text-limited descriptive
information manually entered by the respective user for posting on
a webpage of the social network application for the respective
user, and (iii) at least some entries of text-limited descriptive
information communicated from the first mobile application and
received by the one or more servers of the social network
application are indicative of current activities of respective
subscribers; logging activities of users of the social network
application using at least information received from the first
mobile application, wherein the logged activities include
real-world activities of users of the social network application;
receiving app usage information from a plurality of second mobile
applications of different types by one or more servers of hardware
and software, wherein (i) each of the plurality of second mobile
applications is (a) different from a web browser application and
(b) different from a social network application, (ii) the plurality
of second mobile applications include at least mobile gaming
applications, mobile digital content applications, and
shopping-related mobile applications, and (iii) the second
plurality of mobile applications are functionally integrated with
the social network application to share subscriber activities
across the first mobile application and the second plurality of
applications; combining app usage information from the second
plurality of mobile applications and social network application
activities to create combined activity listings of user activities
for respective users including information from the first mobile
application and information related to usage of the plurality of
second mobile applications; presenting the combined activity
listings to viewing users in respective webpages by one or more web
servers; selecting ads according to ad parameters for distribution
to users of the social network application, wherein the selected
ads are selected, at least in part, using app usage information;
and communicating the selected ads to users of the social network
application.
[0011] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly certain features
and/or technical advantages in order that the detailed description
that follows may be better understood. Additional features and/or
advantages will be described hereinafter which form the subject of
the claims. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes. It should also be
realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent
constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
appended claims. The novel features, both as to organization and
method of operation, together with further objects and advantages
will be better understood from the following description when
considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be
expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided
for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not
intended as a definition of the limits of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a system in which multiple LBS applications
and other applications provide location based services to multiple
subscribers and in which advertisements can be directed to the
multiple subscribers using multiple types of information according
to one representative embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a subscriber device
adapted for delivery of advertisements according to one
representative embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart for identifying clustering
according to one representative embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart for processing cluster data
according to one representative embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart for utilizing cluster information
according to one representative embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 6 depicts a flowchart for utilizing cluster information
according to another representative embodiment.
[0018] FIGS. 7-14 depict activity norm summary information that can
be compiled or calculated for use in selecting ads to communicate
to subscribers according to some representative embodiments.
[0019] FIGS. 15-17 depict respective flowcharts for processing
activity information and/or financial transaction information to
generate respective norm parameters for storage in subscriber
profiles according to some representative embodiments.
[0020] FIGS. 18 and 19 depict activity norm profiles and for
different merchant types according to some representative
embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 20 depicts activity norm analysis that cross-correlates
selected financial transaction behavior to other subscriber
behavior.
[0022] FIG. 21 depicts activity norm analysis that cross-correlates
selected activities and/or sub-activities to financial transactions
according to one representative embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 22 depicts a system for supporting a social network
application according to one representative embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 23 depicts a wireless, telephony subscriber device
according to one representative embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 24 depicts a user interface for use in a social network
application according to one representative embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 25 depicts a user interface for use in a social network
application according to one representative embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 26 depicts a map interface for displaying mobile
subscriber analytics according to one representative
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Some representative embodiments are directed to systems and
methods for monitoring data associated with users of location based
services and directing advertisements to the users. Some
representative embodiments are directed to distribution of mobile
applications. Some representative embodiments are directed to
generating, processing, and/or using behavioral analytics. Some
representative embodiments are directed to communicating ads for
presentation to mobile devices and/or static processor based
systems. Some representative embodiments are directed to social
network applications.
[0029] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a system in
which multiple LBS applications and other application servers 101
(also referred to herein as "applications," "mobile applications,"
or "mobile apps" for convenience depending upon context) are
provided for communication with multiple subscriber devices 104 and
in which advertisements can be directed to the multiple subscribers
104 using multiple types of information. Applications 101 may
include one or more social network applications such as the social
network applications described in the APPENDICES of PCT Publication
WO 2008/082794 A2. Applications 101 may include one or more search
applications such as the search applications described in the
APPENDICES of PCT Publication WO 2008/082794 A2.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, there are preferably a plurality of
applications 101 that provide location based services or other
services to subscriber devices 104. Applications 101 can provide
conventional location based services such as map/navigation
services, weather services, local merchant search services, etc.
Applications 101 can further include financial or shopping location
based services as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/736,252, filed Nov. 14, 2005, 60/759,303, filed Jan. 17,
2006 and 60/773,852, filed Feb. 16, 2006, which are all
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Applications
101 can include "social" applications or gaming applications that
facilitate different types of subscriber interaction. LBS
applications 101 may receive location information that is
indicative of the current location of subscribers 104 and
communicate LBS information to the subscribers 104 according to the
location information either upon request by the subscribers 104 or
automatically depending upon the nature/purpose of the particular
LBS application 101. The application data is possibly communicated
through Internet 102 and a wireless network 103 (e.g., a cellular
network) to subscribers 104. The subscriber devices 104 can be any
type of suitable wireless device (e.g., cellular phones,
"smartphones," wireless e-mail devices, wireless capable PDAs,
etc.) that possess the ability to determine their approximate
current location or communicate through a network that enables the
approximate location to be determined.
[0031] Applications 101 may also communicate with gateway/web
service 105. In preferred embodiments, subscriber devices 104
communicate their current location to gateway/web service 105.
Also, as subscriber devices 104 access various LBS applications
101, subscriber devices 104 communicate their activation of an LBS
or other application to gateway/web service 105. Such location and
device use data may be employed for the selection of ads for
presentation to users of subscriber devices 104 as discussed
herein. Gateway/web service 105 then may intermediate communication
between the selected application(s) 101 and the respective
subscriber devices 104. Thus, subscribers 104 may access multiple
applications through the same source (or may coordinate selected
communication through a common server or service). Also,
subscribers 104 may only need to communicate their current location
to the same destination which is then available to any application
101 as appropriate.
[0032] Although gateway/web service 105 provides such gateway
services, the gateway services are not critical to all embodiments.
In some embodiments, subscriber devices 104 and/or applications 101
can report to web service 105 (i) the current location of
subscribers 104 to web service 105 as subscribers 104 utilize their
respective applications and (ii) when a respective subscriber 104
accesses an application and ceases use of the application (if
applicable).
[0033] Gateway/web service 105 updates and/or maintains a log of
locations where subscribers 104 visited in DB 107. Also,
gateway/web service 105 maintains a log of interaction with or
access to particular LBS or other applications 101. Any suitable
app usage information may be communicated to gateway/web service
105 such as transactions, app-specific actions, social interactions
facilitated through one or more apps, etc. Additionally,
gateway/web service 105 may maintain a log of financial
transactions completed by various subscribers as identified by
financial applications 101 (e.g., a budget application, a fraud
monitoring LBS application, etc.) and communicated to gateway/web
service 105.
[0034] Gateway/web service 105 utilizes the location information,
application interaction information, and/or financial information
to infer the activities performed by the subscribers and the
current activity being performed by the subscribers. The logs of
activities for subscribers and current activities being performed
are stored in DB 107. The logs of activities enable more accurate
selection of ads, incentives, offers, etc. to be directed to
subscribers as will be discussed below. In some embodiments, the
log activities are formed into one or more listings (possibility in
sequential time order) for viewing by viewing users in webpages via
one or more webserver. The viewing users may be advertisers.
Alternatively, the viewing users may be "friends" of a given user
in a social network application.
[0035] In some embodiments, the following activities and
sub-activities are defined: (i) commuting; (ii) work; (iii) school;
(iv) dining--(a) fast food; (b) casual; . . . fine dining; (v)
entertainment--(a) movie; (b) music venue; . . . bar; (vi)
sports/recreation--(a) health club; (b) golf; (c) athletic
complex/fields; . . . gaming; (vii) shopping--(a) groceries; (b)
gas; (c) clothing, shoes, accessories; (d) home decoration; (e)
home improvement; . . . sports equipment; (viii) social; (ix)
traveling/vacation, etc. Of course, these activities and
sub-activities are by way of example and any other activities
and/or sub-activities could be additionally or alternatively
employed. Also, it shall be appreciated that the activities need
not be mutually exclusive in that a single subscriber could be
engaged in multiple activities at the same time. The information
can be encoded in any suitable ontology. For example, a
hierarchical classification of the types of locations could be
formulated. In one embodiment, specific merchants are defined
within the hierarchical framework within shopping related
activities. An example branch in such a hierarchical framework
could be RETAIL: shopping: big-box store: TARGET.RTM.: grocery
section. In alternative embodiments, any such hierarchical
descriptors assignable to locations that indicate the nature of the
activity being undertaken by a subscriber may be employed. In some
embodiments, many of the activities and sub-activities are related
to activities at physical locations (e.g., specific locations,
specific merchants, etc.).
[0036] In some embodiments, a current activity of a subscriber can
be inferred from the type of application that the subscriber is
accessing. For example, if a subscriber is utilizing a navigation
LBS application and the subscriber has not reached their
destination, it may be inferred that the subscriber is commuting.
If a subscriber is utilizing a social application, certain
activities (work, school, etc.) can be eliminated or considered
less probably or relevant while other activities can possess a
greater probability (e.g., dining, entertainment, etc.).
Accordingly, when gateway/web service 105 attempts to infer the
current activity of a subscriber, gateway/web service 105
identifies the applications that are currently active for the
subscriber.
[0037] In some embodiments, gateway/web service 105 utilizes
information in DB 106 to infer the activity of the user. In
general, DB 106 correlates specific locations to one or several
specific activities. For example, DB 106 can be constructed by
"mapping" the addresses or coordinates of residential areas, retail
districts, schools, health care facilities, sports/athletic
facilities, etc. to the particular activities that are customary to
those types of locations. Additionally, DB 106 includes information
at several geospatial "resolution" levels. In some embodiments, DB
106 comprises geo-coordinates or other spatial information that
define (i) various retail districts at a higher level, (ii)
specific malls, strip-malls, stand-alone stores, etc. within a
retail district, (iii) specific stores; and (iv) sub-store
locations. In sub-store locations, the specific goods or specific
service provided can be identified. By maintaining a log of the
locations visited by a subscriber and the amount of time spent at
the locations, the activities of a user can be estimated. Sub-store
locations can be determined utilizing any number of mechanisms
and/or algorithms. For example, a GPS receiver could be employed
provided the GPS receiver possesses sufficient antenna gain and
sufficient reception within the store. Alternatively, many retail
locations utilize multiple WiFi access points. The particular ID's
of the WiFi access points that are detectable and/or the relative
signal strength of the WiFi access points can be utilized for an
intra-store location determination. Also, sub-store locating
functionality can be utilized to ascertain whether a subscriber has
made a purchase at a particular merchant. For example, if a
subscriber has spent an amount of time near a location where a
cash-register is known to be present and the subscriber leaves the
store after being at that location, it may be inferred that the
subscriber has made a purchase at that store.
[0038] Financial information captured by financial related LBS
applications 101 can be used to augment the identification of
subscriber activities. In such financial related applications 101,
the applications monitor user accounts for the completion of
transactions (e.g., credit or debit card transactions). Using the
merchant information (merchant ID, merchant name, merchant
classification, etc.) in the transaction information, the activity
can be more closely estimated. For example, if a user is located
within a mall and the user previously purchased items at a clothing
store, the specific current shopping activity can be inferred to
include clothing shopping even though the user may temporarily
depart from stores containing such items. Alternatively,
transaction information may signal that a particular activity has
been completed by the user. For example, if a user makes a purchase
at a grocery store that is typical for their weekly grocery
purchases, one can conclude that the user will not be conducting
further significant grocery shopping for some amount of time.
Transaction information can be obtained using the systems disclosed
in APPENDIX A of PCT Publication WO 2008/082794 A2.
[0039] As an example of a user log could be given by: 6:00 am-8:30
am: undefined; 8:30 am-9:00 am: banking; 9:15 am-10:20 am: grocery
shopping; 12:15 pm-1:00 pm; dining (fast food); 1:30 pm-2:00 pm:
commuting: 2:00 pm: begin shopping (clothing): clothing purchase
made at 2:35 at young women's depart. of dept. store retailer. In
some representative embodiments, logs can be reviewed by
advertisers. The viewing of activities or selected portions thereof
may be conditioned upon subscriber privacy preferences. In
alternative embodiments, the logs are not actually reviewable by
advertisers. Instead, the logs are merely maintained in DB 107 and
advertising parameters are compared against the information in the
logs to direct advertisements.
[0040] By providing such a log of activities (previously performed
and currently performed), a more intelligent selection of ads for
communication to the subscriber can occur. For example, when the
grocery shopping activity has been completed, selection of ads for
specific grocery items will have relatively little value. Depending
upon the purchasing behavior of the subscriber, it may be
advantageous to send the subscriber clothing-related advertisements
while the subscriber is clothing shopping (even after one or
several purchases have been made). Alternatively, if the subscriber
has already spent more than the subscriber usually spends as
reflected in the prior purchases, it may not be advantageous to
send more clothing advertisements since the subscriber may have
already spent their limit and is only currently "browsing," i.e.
the probability of further purchases can be estimated as being
low.
[0041] In some embodiments, activity norms and financial norms
(e.g., selected behavioral analytics) are calculated by observing
subscriber behavior over a period of time. For the purpose of this
application, the term "norm" parameter refers to a parameter that
is indicative of a general level or average for the particular
subscriber. For example, for grocery shopping norms, the typical
period between grocery shopping (e.g., in days), the typical day(s)
for grocery shopping, the average amount spent, the range of
amounts spent, the standard deviation of amounts spent, the type of
stores in which grocery shopping occurs, etc. can be compiled from
location information and financial information obtained by LBS
applications. As another example, for clothing-type shopping norms,
the typical day(s) for shopping, the average amount spent, the
standard deviation of amounts spent, the number of transactions per
shopping event, the average amount of time spent shopping at a
particular retail location and/or per day, the types of stores
visited, etc. can be compiled, the types of items purchases (if
known), etc. can be compiled. Also, correlation between activities
can be compiled. For example, it may be observed that a particular
subscriber may routinely engage in a "dining (fast food)" activity
after engaging in "recreation--sports complex" activity. Subscriber
activity and/or financial norms are then compared against
subscriber's more recent activities for the purpose of ad
selection.
[0042] By compiling such information, intelligent selection of ads
for subscribers may occur. In preferred embodiments, advertisers
upload ads into ad DB 109 through ad server 108. Also, the
advertisers specify any specific ad parameters for association with
their various ads. The ad parameters are compared by ad server 108
against subscriber information and the activity information and
norm information in DB 107. When the information in DB 107
satisfies the ad parameters for particular subscribers, the
respective ad(s) are communicated to those subscribers by ad server
108. Any other ad selection criteria can be employed. For example,
the ads of certain advertisers can be prioritized based upon
purchased ad placements. The payment for placement of ads may
include payments to prioritize ad placement according to any ad
parameter discussed herein or in the APPENDICES of PCT Publication
WO 2008/082794 A2. For example, payments for ad placements may
occur according to purchasing norm parameters, clustering
parameters, shopping timing parameters, etc. which are discussed
below. The payments for ad placements may also utilize any such
parameters in combination or in combination with other subscriber
data. For example, an advertiser may pay for ad placements for
subscribers that typically spend greater than $200 per shopping
trip, shop at a specific type of retail establishment, and that fit
a given demographic profile. All such combination of ad parameters
are contemplated according to some representative embodiments.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 2, subscriber device 200 is shown that
is adapted for delivery of advertisements according to one
representative embodiment. Subscriber device 200 can be any
suitable wireless device, such as a cellular phone, that is capable
of executing software instructions. The software instructions on
subscriber device 200 preferably include multiple LBS or other
mobile applications 203. The local applications 203 may contact
remote LBS or other application servers 101 to deliver the
application-based information to the subscriber. Subscriber device
200 further includes LBS agent 201. LBS agent 201 preferably
manages or intermediates the communication of location LBS
applications 203 with remote LBS applications 101 and/or gateway
service 105. LBS agent 201 preferably forwards location information
to the appropriate LBS applications 101 and/or gateway service 105
at times defined by the respective applications. Also, LBS agent
201 may receive messages from applications 101 and forwards the
messages to the respective local applications 203. LBS agent 201
simplifies the implementation of LBS applications 203 and prevents
conflict or difficulties in the execution of local LBS applications
203. Also, LBS agent 201 can manage updates to any LBS
functionality that is common to all LBS applications 203 or one or
several specific LBS applications 203.
[0044] Subscriber device 200 further comprises software for
presenting ads to subscribers in an efficient manner. In one
embodiment, subscriber device 200 comprises ticker software
application 204 and ad detail menu application 205. In preferred
embodiments, some ads are communicated to LBS agent 201 of
subscriber device 200 using SMS messaging. The SMS messages
preferably detail how the ad is to be presented to the subscriber.
Preferably, the SMS messages detail whether the ad is to be placed
into a ticker, for how long, and what particular text is to be
displayed in the ticker. A ticker generally refers to a scrolling
stream of characters on a screen of the wireless device (e.g., that
mimics a "ticker-tape" in electronic form). LBS agent 201 provides
the appropriate information to ticker software application 204 to
display to the user when the user reviews the screen of subscriber
device 200 (e.g., when the subscriber opens his/her phone). Also,
the SMS messages preferably detail information to be placed in a
menu type form that provides a more detailed presentation of ads
for subscriber review. Also, should a subscriber desire to view
additional detail for an ad or download a digital coupon, a
hyperlink can be included for user selection that causes browser
application 206 to download the corresponding content. In other
embodiments, ads may be presented directly within mobile apps. The
mobile apps may also permit a user to click on an ad to "click
through" to more detailed ad presentation via a browser application
as an example.
[0045] In some embodiments, "digital coupons" are communicated to
subscriber devices 104 through the ad selection functionality of ad
server 108 and ad DB 107. The digital coupons are preferably
implemented by use of a digital image encoded according to a
digital rights management (DRM) scheme. The digital image can
display the "coupon" details, such as
product/store/location/purchase conditions, the amount of the
coupon, etc. Also, the digital image preferably includes a "code"
(e.g., an alphanumeric string) that authenticates the validity of
the coupon. When a subscriber wishes to use a digital coupon, the
user can present the screen of the subscriber device 104 displaying
the digital coupon to a clerk of a merchant. A merchant that has
previously agreed to accept such digital coupons can enter the code
into the merchant's POS device during a transaction. The merchant's
system can then determine the validity of the coupon in real-time
by communicating the code to a suitable server. Upon determining
the validity of the coupon, the merchant's POS device can suitably
adjust the transaction total. Also, the merchant's system can use
the code to obtain settlement of the coupon amount at a later
appropriate time using the code.
[0046] The DRM functionality can be used for several purposes in
the digital coupon process. In some embodiments, the DRM
functionality ties the digital coupon to a specific subscriber
device 104, i.e., the digital image is not decrypted by other
subscriber devices. Also, in some embodiments, location information
can be encoded within the DRM rules. For example, spatial
coordinates and a radius distance can be defined such that the
digital image is only decrypted by the DRM software when the user
is within the area defined by the spatial coordinates and the
radius distance (to ensure that the coupon is only presented at
desired retail locations/merchants, etc.). That is, the DRM
software accesses the current location of the subscriber device 104
and selectively decrypts the digital image by comparing the current
location to the location rules defined in the DRM license
associated with the digital coupon.
[0047] In some embodiments, a short "ad" of several seconds (e.g.,
a promotional video) is incorporated with a digital coupon. When a
subscriber initially reviews the digital coupon, the promotional
video is played. After the promotional video is played, the digital
image containing the coupon information is then displayed. The DRM
license can contain a DRM rule that causes the video to be deleted
upon review for the purpose of minimizing the memory usage of the
digital coupon over time.
[0048] Some representative embodiments can provide a number of
advantages. For example, by maintaining a database of sub-locations
within specific stores and the types of goods at those
sub-locations, intelligent selection of ads for delivery to
subscribers can occur. For example, in ordinary e-advertising and
LBS advertising, it is most likely never useful to communicate an
advertisement for an inexpensive, somewhat common-place food item.
That is, the ad will have a very low probability of affecting the
subscriber's purchasing activities. However, if it is known that a
subscriber is standing in a particular grocery aisle of a "big-box"
retailer that contains that type of food item according to
representative embodiments, communication of such an ad may make
economic sense because the probability of the ad being successful
in affecting the purchasing behavior is much higher than if the ad
were communicated when the subscriber is at another type of
location.
[0049] Additionally, by providing a log of activities, selection of
ads for subscribers can occur in a much more efficient and
effective manner that possible according to conventional LBS
applications. That is, subscriber activities provide a more
reasoned basis for estimating the appropriateness of an ad for a
subscriber than the mere current location of the subscriber. Also,
by aggregating data over time and data from multiple sources, the
activities of a subscriber can be more accurately inferred. Also,
by compiling historical norms, the effectiveness of an
advertisement in affecting immediate purchasing behavior can be
more readily determined.
[0050] FIGS. 7-14 depict activity norm summary information 700,
800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, and 1400 that can be compiled or
calculated for use in selecting ads to communicate to subscribers
according to some representative embodiments.
[0051] FIG. 7 depicts activity summary profile 700 according to one
representative embodiment. Activity summary profile 700 stores
information that indicates the amount of time spent by a subscriber
for a plurality of activities. Also, the information is provided in
a hierarchical manner. Specifically, the amount of time is shown
for various sub-activities. As shown in FIG. 7, for ACTIVITY 1, the
average amounts of time spent for ACTIVITY 1 per day of the week
(Sunday through Saturday) are represented by parameters V1-V7. The
standard deviations for the amounts of time spent for ACTIVITY 1
per each day of the week are represented by parameters s1-s7. The
average amounts of time spent per week and per month for ACTIVITY 1
are represented by parameters V8 and V9 and the standard deviations
for time spent per week and per month are represented by s8 and s9.
In a similar manner, average amounts of time and standard
deviations are shown for SUBACTIVITIES, i.e., (V'1-V'9, s'1-s'9)
for a first sublevel activity and (V''1-V''9, s''1-s''9) for a
second sublevel activity. Any suitable number of subactivities and
levels of subactivities could be so provided. As shown in FIG. 7,
this type of information is repeated for a plurality of activities
(through "ACTIVITY N").
[0052] FIG. 8 depicts activity probability profile 800 according to
one representative embodiment. Activity probability profile 800 is
defined for one day of the week (i.e., Sunday). Preferably, similar
profiles (not shown) are defined for other days of the week.
Profile 800 defines the probability that a subscriber will engage
in a particular activity within a given time frame. For example,
the probability that the subscriber will engage in ACTIVITY 1
between 5 am and 6 am is defined by the parameter P1. Likewise, the
probabilities for the other hours of the day for ACTIVITY 1 are
defined by parameters P2-P24. Probabilities for hierarchical
subactivities are shown in parameters P25-P48 and P49-P72.
Probabilities are preferably defined for a plurality of activities
through ACTIVITY N.
[0053] FIG. 9 depicts shopping activity profile 900 according to
one representative embodiment. Profile 900 comprises relatively
high level shopping summary information. Profile 900 comprises the
average amounts of time spent shopping per each day of the week,
per week, and per month in parameters X1-X9. The standard
deviations for these times are shown in parameters x1-x9. The
shopping frequencies for these time periods are represented by
parameters F1-F9. The shopping frequency represents the average
number of discrete shopping trips taken by the subscriber for the
respective time period. The standard deviations for the shopping
frequency for these periods are represented by parameters f1-f9.
The average amounts of time per shopping trip are represented by
parameters T1-T9 for these time periods with the standard
deviations represented by parameters t1-t9.
[0054] The average amounts of time spent shopping per shopping
location (e.g., MALL X, MALL Y, . . . MALL Z, etc.) is shown for a
plurality of locations for these time periods. The locations are
preferably retail locations in which there are multiple merchant
stores in relatively close proximity such as a mall or retail
district. For LOCATION 1, the average amounts of time for the
various time periods are represented by parameters L1-L9 with the
standard deviations represented by parameters 11-19. Also, the
average numbers of stores visited by retail location for the time
periods for LOCATION 1 are represented by parameters SL1-SL9 with
the standard deviations represented by parameters sll-s19. Similar
parameters are defined for a plurality of locations (as shown
through LOCATION Z).
[0055] FIG. 10 depicts merchant type shopping profile 1000
according to one representative embodiment. Profile 1000 preferably
stores average amounts of time spent shopping for a plurality of
merchant types (e.g., clothing retailers, electronics retailers,
bookstores, big-box retailers, grocery retailers, etc.). Also, the
standard deviations are defined (denoted by the "s" prefix). The
amounts of time and standard deviations are preferably calculated
or compiled for each day of the week, per week, and per month time
periods. Also, average amounts of time and standard deviations are
defined for sub-store locations or departments for various merchant
types. Such information is preferably compiled or calculated for a
plurality of merchant types (shown as MERCHANT TYPE 1 through
MERCHANT TYPE X). FIG. 11 depicts merchant shopping profile 1100
according to one representative embodiment. Profile 1100 stores the
same type of information as profile 1000 except the information
pertains to specific merchants as opposed to types of
merchants.
[0056] When financial transactions are monitored and logged,
shopping activity norms in terms of purchases are preferably
compiled or calculated. FIG. 12 depicts shopping purchase profile
1200 according to one representative embodiment. Profile 1200
stores average numbers of purchases per shopping trip (parameters
NP1-1 through NP1-9) and average amounts spent per shopping trip
(parameters DP1-1 through DP1-9) for each day of the week, per
week, and per month time frames. The standard deviations for these
values are also given (parameters sNP1-1 through sNP1-9 and sDP1-1
through sDP1-9). Average numbers and amounts of purchases for
locations are defined (LOCATION 1 through LOCATION N) as shown in
parameters NP-L1-1 through NP-L1-9 . . . NP-LN-1 through NP-LN-9
and DP-L1-1 through DP-L1-9 . . . DP-LN-1 through DP-LN-9. Standard
deviations are also defined for the locations for these time frames
as shown in parameters sNP-L1-1 through sNP-L1-9 . . . sNP-LN-1
through sNP-LN-9 and sDP-L1-1 through sDP-L1-9 . . . sDP-LN-1
through sDP-LN-9. Merchant type purchase profile 1300 (FIG. 13) and
merchant purchase profile 1400 (FIG. 14) depict similar purchase
information (number of purchases, dollar amounts, standard
deviations) by merchant types and specific merchants.
[0057] FIG. 15 depicts a flowchart for processing shopping activity
information for a respective subscriber to generate profile
information according to one representative embodiment. In 1501,
activity information is retrieved for the last 6 months in a
preferred embodiment (although any other suitable length of time
could be selected). The activity information is preferably
retrieved from pre-existing activity logs according to one
embodiment. Alternatively, location based information could be
retrieved and correlated to activities in conjunction with the norm
building process. In 1502, total time is calculated for each
activity (and subactivity) per day of week, per week, per month. In
1503, the total amounts of time are divided by the numbers of each
of days of the week, the number of weeks, and the number of months
for the selected period of time. The values are stored in one or
more profile(s).
[0058] In 1504, the number of times that each activity
(subactivity) was performed in various time periods (e.g., each
hour interval per day of week) is calculated. In 1505, the numbers
of times for each activity/subactivity are divided by the total
numbers of each of the days of the week in the selected period of
time and the resulting values are stored in one or more
profile(s).
[0059] In 1506, the number of times that the subscriber went
shopping over the selected period and for each day of week are
calculated. In 1507, the calculated numbers of times are divided by
the number of months, the number of weeks, and the number of days,
respectively. The resulting values are stored in one or more
profile(s).
[0060] FIG. 16 depicts a flowchart for processing shopping activity
information for a respective subscriber to generate profile
information according to one representative embodiment. In 1601,
activity log information is retrieved for last 6 months (or any
other suitable period of time). In 1602, the total amount of time
spent shopping over the selected period of time is calculated.
Also, the total amount of time for the selected period for each day
of the week is also calculated. In 1603, the calculated values are
divided by the numbers of each day of the week, number of weeks,
number of months in the selected period of time and the resulting
values are stored in one or more profiles to generate the average
amounts of time spent shopping per day of week, per week, and per
month. In 1604, the standard deviations for the various time
periods are calculated and stored in one or more profiles.
[0061] In 1605, the calculation of averages and standard deviations
for the time is repeated for a plurality of shopping locations or
respective retail locations in which multiple merchants are
present. The calculated values are stored in one or more
profile(s). In 1606, the calculation of averages and standard
deviations are repeated for each merchant type and sub-store
location. The calculated values are stored in one or more
profile(s). In 1607, the calculation of averages and standard
deviations are repeated for each merchant and sub-store location.
The calculated values are stored in one or more profile(s).
[0062] In 1606, the calculation of averages and standard deviations
is repeated for each discrete shopping trip. That is, an individual
shopping trip refers to a period of time where a subscriber was
substantially continuously engaged in a shopping activity. The
average amounts of time spent shopping per shopping trip per each
day of week, per week, and per month are calculated and the
standard deviations are calculated.
[0063] In 1607, the numbers of times that the subscriber went
shopping over the selected period and for each day of week over the
selected period are calculated. In 1608, the calculated values are
divided by the number of months, the number of weeks, the number of
each day of the week in the selected period of time and the
resulting values are stored in one or more store in one or more
profiles.
[0064] FIG. 17 depicts a flowchart for processing financial
activity information for a respective subscriber to generate
profile information according to one representative embodiment. In
1701, transaction information is retrieved for last 6 months or any
other suitable period of time. In 1702, the total numbers of
purchases for each day of week and total number of purchases are
calculated. In 1703, the total dollar amounts of purchases are
calculated for each day of the week and total dollar amount of
purchases over the selected period of time are calculated. In 1704,
the calculated values (from 1702 and 1703) are divided by the
numbers of each day of the week, the number of weeks, and the
number of months within the selected period to calculate the
average values to be stored in the one or more profile(s). In 1705,
the standard deviations for respective time periods are calculated
and stored in one or more profiles.
[0065] In 1706, the calculations are repeated to calculate the
averages and standard deviations for the various time periods for
each shopping trip. The calculated values are stored in one or more
profile(s). In 1707, the calculations are repeated for each
shopping location. The calculated values are stored in one or more
profile(s). In 1708, the calculations are repeated for each
merchant type. In 1709, the calculations are repeated for each
merchant. The calculated values are stored in one or more
profile(s).
[0066] FIGS. 18 and 19 depict example activity norm profiles 1800
and 1900 for different types of merchants according to some
representative embodiments. Norm profiles 1800 and 1900 are
preferably compiled by monitoring activity information as
determined using LBS data and financial information for the
respective subscriber. Any number of similar profiles can be
defined for other types of shopping or spending activities.
Preferably, some profiles are created and maintained for each
subscriber, although not every profile need be created and
maintained for each subscriber as some subscribers may not
sufficiently engage in the respective activity for the information
to be useful.
[0067] Norm profile 1800 depicts activity norm data for "FAST FOOD
DINING." Norm profile 1800 depicts the percentage of times that the
subscriber engages in the activity at the respective times (by
breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for each day of the week and the
average amount spent at each respective time when the subscriber
decides to engage in the activity. It may be observed that at
certain times the subscriber dines with other parties, such as
members of the subscriber's family, while at other times the
subscriber dines alone (compare breakfast on Sunday with lunch on
Wednesday). Profile 1800 further details percentages of purchases
by restaurants and restaurants types. For example, profile 1800
indicates that the subscriber dines at restaurant A 35% of time
when the subscriber decides to engage in fast food dining. Profile
1800 further indicates that the subscriber dines at a restaurant of
type A 45% of the time when the subscriber decides to engage in
fast food dining.
[0068] Norm profile 1800 preferably indicates other activities that
are correlated to fast food dining. For example, norm profile 1800
indicates that when the subscriber is engaged in a "work-traveling"
activity, the subscriber engages in fast food dining 76% of the
time (during or shortly thereafter the work-traveling activity).
Also, norm profile 1800 indicates that when the subscriber is or
recently has engaging in a "shopping mall" activity, the subscriber
engages in fast food dining 44% of the time (during or shortly
thereafter the shopping mall activity). By providing such
correlation information, specific ads can be directed to a
subscriber at an appropriate time. Specifically, the ads might be
able to reach the subscriber before the subscriber has made a
decision to engage in a specific activity or to go to a specific
merchant. That is, if only current location data is utilized, "fast
food dining" ads might not be selected. Accordingly, the subscriber
may make a decision to engage at a specific fast food restaurant
before ads are ever communicated to the subscriber. Some
embodiments potentially enable ads to be communicated to the
subscriber at a relevant time but before the subscribers has made
such a decision. Thereby, the "steering" ability of communicated
ads according to some embodiments may be relatively high.
[0069] Norm profile 1900 is similar to norm profile 1800 except
that norm profile 1900 includes norm parameters relevant to
clothing shopping, clothing merchants, and clothing merchant types
(e.g., young-women's retailer, designer retailer, discount
retailer, etc.). Profile 1900 includes additional information. For
example, norm profile 1900 preferably includes a parameter that
indicates that the number of clothing-related purchases that the
subscriber typically makes per shopping trip. Norm profile 1900 may
also include information indicative of the typical goods or type of
goods purchased by the subscriber (e.g., if the information is made
available by the retailers in connection with coupon, discount, or
payment settlement processes).
[0070] Profile 1900 also preferably includes information that
relates a correlation between other financial considerations and
the purchase of clothing. Profile 1900 indicates that there is an
increased probability of 50% of clothing purchases immediately
after deposits into a financial account of the subscriber (e.g.,
when a paycheck or other funds are deposited in the account). Also,
there is an increase in the average amount of said purchases
immediately after deposits of 70%. It is seen, for this subscriber,
that clothing purchases are highly correlated to available funds
and, accordingly, the selection of ads for this subscriber should
also depend upon the deposit of funds into the subscribers account
(e.g., in terms of timing of the deposits and the amounts of the
deposits).
[0071] Profile 1900 indicates decreased probability of 20%
immediately after out of budget expenses. Profile 1900 further
indicates a decreased average amount of purchase immediately after
out of budget expenses of 50%. In general, expenses may be
categorized by analyzing the financial activity of a subscriber to
assign expenses/payments to various categories. See APPENDIX A of
PCT Publication WO 2008/082794 A2. Significant deviations (e.g.,
greater than 20%, 30%, . . . 50%, or any suitable dollar amount)
from typical expenses for a significant budget category may
indicate that the subscriber is currently experiencing financial
difficulty or unexpected expenses. For some subscribers, such
unexpected expenses may cause the subscribers to curtail certain
other purchases. By correlating such unexpected expenses to
purchasing behavior, subscriber reaction to subsequent unexpected
expenses may be predicted and ad selection modified in response
thereto. Accordingly, such information can be obtained and stored
in subscriber profiles according to some representative embodiments
for the purpose of ad selection for subscribers.
[0072] FIG. 20 depicts activity norm analysis that cross-correlates
selected financial transaction behavior to other subscriber
behavior. In 2001, deviations in typical expenditures (e.g.,
deviations exceeding 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of typical
discretionary or other spending) are identified. Such deviations
may be performed to identify unexpected expenses or significant
purchases that may impact other purchasing decisions of the
subscriber. In 2002, changes in purchasing behavior after
identified deviations are identified for multiple shopping/spending
categories in terms of probabilities of purchases and amounts of
purchases. In 2003, changes in probabilities and amounts of
purchases are stored in profiles for the various identified
deviations (if any). In 2004, changes in purchasing behavior after
deposits into subscriber account(s) in terms of probabilities of
purchases and amounts of purchases are analyzed In 2005, changes in
probabilities and amounts of purchases are stored in profiles for
various deviations. In 2006, changes in purchasing behavior in
relation to variation in amounts of deposits into subscriber
account(s) in terms of probabilities of purchases and amounts of
purchases are analyzed. In 2007, changes in probabilities and
amounts of purchases are stored in profiles for various
deviations.
[0073] FIG. 21 depicts a flowchart to identify correlations between
purchasing behavior of a subscriber and various activities
performed by the subscriber according to one representative
embodiment. In 2101, an activity and/or subactivity of subscriber
is selected for analysis. In 2102, occurrences of selected
activity/subactivity in activity logs for a suitable time period
(e.g., six months) are identified. In 2103, a logical comparison is
made to determine whether the selected activity/subactivity has
been performed greater than x number of times within the period of
time. If so, the process flow proceeds to 2104. If not, the process
flow proceeds to 2107.
[0074] In 2104, financial transactions within predetermined time
period of each occurrence of activity/subactivity are retrieved
(e.g., within one, two, or three hours, for example). In 2105,
transaction types that have occurred at least y % of the time that
the activity/subactivity was performed by subscriber are identified
(e.g., clothing purchases, payments for dining, payments for
various forms of entertainment, etc.). A suitable percentage of the
time may be 50% according to one embodiment (although any other
suitable percentage could be employed for other embodiments). In
2106, identified transaction types and % for each type of financial
transaction are stored in one or more profile(s).
[0075] In 2107, a logical comparison is made to determine whether
other activities/subactivities have been performed by the
subscriber within the last six months or other selected time
period. If so, the process flow returns to 2101 for selection of
another activity/subactivity. If not, the process flow ends at
2108.
[0076] In some embodiments, the information stored in DB 107 is
utilized to analyze and detect the collective activities of
subscribers. In some embodiments, "clustering" of subscriber
activity is detected. As used in this application, clustering
refers to multiple subscribers engaging in a common activity or
activities within the relatively same geographical location.
Clustering of such individuals could be detected over time by
repeatedly observing the close proximity in the locations of such
individuals. That is, because the same subscribers are observed in
very close physical proximity on multiple occasions, some type of
relationship is believed to exist between such subscribers.
Specifically, their repeated presence together is not a mere
accident. Alternatively, the relationship between such subscribers
could be known using a priori information (e.g., as provided by one
or several of the subscribers when opening an account with some web
or other application, as defined by a social networking
application, etc.). It shall be appreciated that clustering is not
limited to any particular type of relationship. Clustering may
occur in many contexts, e.g., family activities, gatherings of
friends, business meetings, etc.
[0077] Clustering provides valuable insight into the expected
behavior of subscribers and especially commercial behavior. Thus,
the detection of clustering provides a valuable mechanism to direct
various types of advertising to such subscribers. The advertising
may take the form of direct ads sent to wireless devices of the
subscribers, e-mail advertisements, web page advertisements, etc.
The communication of ads may occur while the clustering is taking
place or may occur at a later time. The communication may occur
before the clustering takes place. That is, it may be possible to
predict a clustering event (e.g., the specific subscribers have
been observed to cluster at the same approximate time/day, etc.)
based on prior subscriber behavior. In such a case, delivery of the
ads may occur immediately before the estimated time of the
predicted clustering event as an example.
[0078] As an example, a family may decide to go to a mall on a
weekend day. It is quite common for multiple members of the family
to possess their own cellular phones. Perhaps, each parent and each
teenager in the family would possess their own cellular phone or
other wireless device. Assuming that each family members' wireless
device possesses a suitable LBS application that reports the
respective subscriber's location to an LBS application or LBS
gateway, the clustering of the family members can be detected. For
example, when the family members initially enter the mall, the
family members' respective GPS data may be very similar. That is,
the LBS applications of their wireless devices may report
substantially similar location information. Also, as each family
member enters the mall, the GPS reception may fade at substantially
the same time (which can be communicated to an LBS application or
gateway). Using such close GPS or other location information, their
very close proximity to each other can be detected thereby
indicating that a clustering event is occurring. Each member of the
family may not necessarily be within very close proximity for the
entire expedition to the mall. However, during the common activity,
the activities of the family members will most likely be
inter-dependent in many ways even though the members are not
necessarily in very close proximity the entire time.
[0079] For example, the family members may initially separate to
frequent each family member's favorite stores. However, the family
members may gather back together to eat lunch or dinner together.
Also, the purchases of the family members may be quite different
when the family members are together as opposed to when the family
members go shopping individually. For example, when a family is
found to be clustering, purchasing may be skewed towards the
children or teenagers of the family. If the parents are found to
cluster without the children, a different set of purchasing
behavior could be expected. Likewise, if each individual were
determined to be shopping alone, the purchasing behavior again may
be different. Further, shopping in the context of peers or friends
can exhibit another set of purchasing norms. Additionally, the
individual making the purchases may be different depending upon the
presence of other individuals. For example, a parent may decide to
go to a particular establishment for a meal for the family which
would not be chosen by any individual on their own. Hence, in such
a situation, the type of ads for meals should depend upon whether
the clustering is taking place and the members of the current
cluster. Also, it would be beneficial to identify the party that is
most likely to make the purchasing decision.
[0080] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart according to one representative
embodiment. In step 301, LBS information is accessed from one or
several databases for prior locations of a selected subscriber as
logged in the database(s). In step 302, the database(s) is/are
queried for other subscribers that were present at substantially
the same location as the selected subscriber at substantially the
same time. In step 303, a logical comparison is made to determine
whether there are one or more subscribers that were repeatedly
present at the same location as the selected subscriber.
[0081] If not, the selected subscriber has not been observed to
exhibit clustering behavior and the process flow proceeds to step
304 where another logical determination is made. In step 304, it is
determined whether there are additional subscribers to analyze. If
not, the process flow proceeds to step 305 to quit. If there are,
the process flow returns to step 301 to select another
subscriber.
[0082] If the logical comparison of step 303 determines that there
are one or more subscribers that were repeatedly present at the
same location as the selected subscriber, the process flow proceeds
from step 303 to step 306. In step 306, a suitable database update
is completed to indicate that the selected subscriber exhibits
clustering activity. The database update may include indicating the
identifiers of other subscribers with which the subscriber tends to
cluster.
[0083] In step 307, the activities, associated financial
transactions, etc. associated with the common locations are
identified for the selected subscriber are identified. In step 308,
one or more databases are updated to indicate the type(s) of
locations, type(s) of common activities and transaction data
associated with the selected subscriber's clusters. The process
flow proceeds from step 308 to step 304 to determine whether there
are additional subscribers for the cluster analysis process.
[0084] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart for processing cluster data
according to one representative embodiment. In step 401, a cluster
of subscribers (multiple subscribers that have been repeated
observed within close proximity of each other) is selected (e.g.,
as identified in one or more databases). In step 402, activity
information and financial information (e.g., transaction details)
for subscribers in the cluster are retrieved.
[0085] In step 403, the transactions by individuals in the cluster
are categorized (if not already so processed). In step 404, the
member(s) of the cluster that are likely to pay for various
transactions during clustering are determined. In step 405, the
types of goods and/or services that exhibit an increased or
decreased probability of purchase are determined for the
subscribers of the cluster. In step 406, the types of goods and/or
services that exhibit a change in probability when the individuals
are not clustering are identified. In step 407, the types of goods
that exhibit a change in probability before and after clustering
are determined for the subscribers of the cluster. In step 408, the
activities that exhibit a change in probability (increase or
decrease) in conjunction with the clustering are identified.
[0086] In step 409, the information pertaining to the clustering is
stored in a suitable database or databases.
[0087] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart for utilizing cluster information
according to one representative embodiment. In step 501, a request
(e.g., an HTTP transaction to a suitable LBS advertising web server
application) is received from an LBS advertiser.
[0088] In step 502, a suitable web page is provided to the LBS
advertiser that preferably includes interactive elements to enable
the LBS advertiser to view subscriber information and to direct
advertisements to suitable subscribers. In step 503, cluster
information is included within the subscriber information for
provision to the LBS advertiser. For example, the LBS subscriber
may be allowed to click on a graphical element within the web page
that represents a given subscriber. In response, subscriber
information may be presented (e.g., an activity log, transaction
information, activity norms, financial transaction norms, etc.).
Within such information, preferably the LBS advertiser is provided
information that indicates whether the subscriber is current
"clustering" and, if so, with which other subscribers. The nature
of the clustering is preferably identified (e.g., family
clustering, peer clustering, business clustering, etc.). Also,
information that identifies the types of transactions or activities
that exhibit increased or decreased probability are preferably
provided. By providing such information, the LBS advertiser can
more effectively identify desirable subscribers for ads and/or
selected more appropriate ads for the subscribers.
[0089] FIG. 6 depicts another flowchart for utilizing cluster
information according to one representative embodiment. In step
601, advertising parameters are received (which may include one or
more clustering parameter values). The advertising parameters
define the desired recipients of one or more directed
advertisements (e.g., as will be delivered to subscriber wireless
devices). For example, the following tag-encoded parameters could
be used as part of a desired LBS advertising effort to direct
advertisements to subscribers:
TABLE-US-00001 {<LOCATION>STONEBRIAR MALL</LOCATION>
AND <CLUSTERING> TRUE </CLUSTERING> AND
(<CLUSTERINGWITHFAMILY> TRUE </CLUSTERINGWITHFAMILY} OR
<CLUSTERINGWITHFRIENDS> TRUE </CLUSTERINGWITHFRIENDS>)
AND (<CLUSTERINGPURCHASER> MEAL
</CLUSTERINGPURCHASER>}.
In this case, the ads would be directed to subscribers located
within or proximate to "Stonebriar Mall." Also, the subscribers
would be required to be clustering before the advertisement(s)
associated with these parameters would be delivered. Also, the
subscribers would be required to be clustering with family members
or friends (as opposed to business purpose clustering). Also, each
advertising target would be required by these parameters to be a
subscriber within the respective cluster that tends to pay for
meals during the clustering of the respective subscribers.
[0090] In step 602, ads are communicated by a suitable LBS
advertising platform to subscribers according to the received
parameters. The direction of the ads may directly depend upon the
defined clustering parameters/data provided in the received
parameters. For example, an advertiser may direct that
advertisements are only to be sent to members of a cluster that
make purchasing decisions for meals among other advertising
parameters in addition to providing non-clustering advertising
parameters. The ad parameters may be defined in terms of any of the
clustering information discussed herein or any other suitable
clustering information. Alternatively, the advertiser may provide
more general advertising parameters and automated subscriber
selection algorithms can select the most probable subscribers to
respond based upon the clustering information.
[0091] Social network applications commonly refer to applications
that facilitate interaction of individuals through various websites
or other Internet-based distribution of content. Originally, the
concept of a social network originated within the field of
sociology as method of modeling social interactions or
relationships. Within such modeling, individuals, groups, or
organizations are represented as nodes within a social network and
the relationships between the "nodes" are represented as links
between the nodes thereby forming a "network."
[0092] Some known social network applications have (directly or
indirectly) utilized such concepts to facilitate interaction
between individuals via the Internet. In most social network
applications, a specific user can create an account and provide
various types of content specific to the individual, such as
pictures of the individual, their friends, their family, etc.,
personal information in text form, favorite music or videos, etc.
The content is then made available to other users of the social
network application. For example, one or more web pages may be
defined for each user of the social network application that can be
viewed by other users of the social network application. Also,
social network applications typically allow a user to define a set
of "friends," "contacts," or "members" with whom the respective
user wishes to repeatedly communicate. Users of a social network
application may post comments or other content to portions of each
other's web pages.
[0093] For the purpose of this application, a social network
application refers to any application or system (with communication
over wired and/or wireless networks) in which users are permitted
to create or define accounts in which the users can make
personalized information and content available for viewing by other
users of the social network application and, in which, users can
define, allow, or create contacts or friends within the social
network application in which repeated interaction is intended to
occur through the social network application. As used herein, an
"account" of a social network application refers to the collection
of data maintained for a respective user for interaction with the
social network application and other users of the social network
application whether stored together or separately. The collection
of data may include user id, password, screen name, email address,
wireless device info., name information, demographic information,
likes/dislikes, photos, activities, relationships, etc.
[0094] Some representative embodiments differ from certain
previously known social network applications. Some representative
embodiments preferably provide functionality that enables users of
a social network application to interact with other users or
"friends" in unique ways. In some embodiments, users may interact
with a mobile or mobile application on a smartphone of the user to
indicate their "current place" for communication to other users or
friends. Also, users may leave comments for other users for such
places for presentation to their friends and users (e.g., via their
smartphones). As used herein, the term "mobile application" refers
to an application on a mobile or wireless, subscriber device which
conducts network communication using the wireless functionality of
the subscriber device. Some representative embodiments further
provide functionality in a wireless phone to enable a user to
upload data and/or images to the account of the user in an
efficient manner for presentation to other users.
[0095] Some representative embodiments further enable users to
indicate items to which the users have affinity or "like" via a
"like function." In yet further embodiments, the social network
application includes location based service functionality as
discussed herein. For example, activities of users of the social
network application may be logged and employed to direct ads to
users of the social network application (e.g., via a mobile
application or other software on a given user's smartphone).
[0096] Referring to system 2110 as shown FIG. 22, some embodiments
may conduct various social network application operations. Such
operations may include operating at least one social network
application server 2115 for interacting with users of the social
network application. The software on server(s) 2115 may include a
web server for serving pages of the social network application,
e.g., HTML pages via HTTP protocols via Internet 2113. Users on
computers 2114 may access their accounts, uploaded data,
communicate with friends, view other user web pages on the social
network application, etc.
[0097] In one embodiment, photo server is provided for direct
uploading of photos to the social network application. Also, a
mobile server may be provided for facilitating interaction with
wireless, telephony subscriber devices 2111. The software on the
application server may maintain selected user account data (in
database or other data store 2116) for users of the social network
application, where the user accounts include data defining
relationships between users of the social network application. The
relationships may be referred to as "friends" providing a link
between respective users of the social network application. Such
friends or users may have privileged status to view certain content
posted to the account of another user. The content may include
photos (e.g., as stored in image DB 2117).
[0098] Preferably, at least some of the users of the social network
application are users of wireless, telephony subscriber devices
2111 (which communicate, at least partially, through wireless
infrastructure 2112 of a public, telephony network). Devices 2111
may also include other wireless communication functionality (e.g.,
Wi-Fi or similar wireless functionality). The social network
application may provide software to operate on wireless, telephony
subscriber devices. The software may be in the form of
browser-executable code or may be an application for installation
and execution on the wireless, telephony subscriber device.
[0099] FIG. 23 depicts telephony device 2111 according to one
representative embodiment. Device 2111 may include conventional
components such as processor 2205, wireless communication circuitry
2206, camera 2207, etc. Device 2111 may include memory 2204 for
storing data and software. The software may include mobile browser
2201, social network mobile application 2203, and social network
application picture upload application 2202 according to some
embodiments. Any other suitable software may be included including
software for communicating location data and/or device use data and
software for receiving ads.
[0100] In some embodiments, a "like-function" is provided by the
social network application. The like-function is a function whereby
a user of the social network application may input data, which is
defined within the social network application and commonly
understood by the users of the social network application, to
indicate approval of or affinity with a defined item. That is, the
user may input data via a user interface (e.g., on a smartphone app
or via a web page on a smartphone or computer) to indicate such
approval or affinity and the data is stored in the account of the
user. The inputted data from the like-function may then be shared
with friends of the given user or other users. The communication of
"like-function" data to friends may be communicated to friends
based upon access control limits (e.g., all social network users,
friends only, selected friends only, etc.).
[0101] The like-function may be implemented in any suitable form.
For example, a simple boolean graphical user input (e.g., a radio
button, a select button, etc.) may be provided for the user to
indicate the user's affinity or approval. Alternatively, more
complex user interface element may be additionally or alternatively
employed, e.g., a text input box for specific comments. For
commercial items, the like-function data may be indicative of an
item that the user is currently contemplating buying, the types of
stores that the user is willing to purchase from, the price range
of products that the user contemplates is appropriate for the goods
of interest, etc. Any such suitable like-function data may be
gathered in accordance with some embodiments.
[0102] In some embodiments, the like-function is combined with
location data (e.g., as obtained by the smartphone of the
respective user) to specify the location of the item identified by
the user via the like-function. The like-function data may also be
communicated in a location dependent manner, e.g., when selected
friends are present at or arrive at a location near or proximate to
the location where the originating user identified the item of
interest.
[0103] Also, ads (e.g., as stored in ad DB 2119) may be selected
based upon items identified via the like-function and any other
social network application data discussed herein. The ads may also
be communicated in a location dependent manner. Any of selection
algorithms discussed herein may be employed for direction of ads to
users of the social network application according to ad selection
criteria for comparison against location, analytic, and/or other
data as stored in DB 2118 as an example. Any suitable ad selection
and distribution infrastructure may be employed. For example, the
multiple application infrastructure discussed herein may also be
employed according to some embodiments.
[0104] FIG. 25 depicts a user interface that may be provided by
suitable software on a wireless device 2111 (e.g., by mobile
browser 2201 when it is executing suitable browser executable code
or application 2203). The interface includes a button for the user
to select to indicate affinity or approval of the defined item
2402. The defined item may be input directly by the user via text
entry. Alternatively, the defined item may be pre-defined for
selection by the user. The user may input appropriate comments in
text control 2403. In other embodiments, the user may also upload
photos using control 2404. Control 2404 enables the user to browse
files and file directories for selection of one or more photos for
the upload process. Button control 2405 enables the user to upload
the photo(s) and data defined by the various controls.
[0105] In some embodiments, the social network application includes
functionality to enable interaction and/or communication between
users of the social network application in relation to defined
locations or "places." In some embodiments, mobile app software is
provided (e.g., via downloading and/or installation) for operation
on the wireless, telephony subscriber devices. The mobile app
software is intended for interacting with the social network
application to access user accounts of the social network
application. For example, the mobile app software may enable a user
to view the profile pages of the friends of the user and the
profile pages of other users (as permitted by access control
data).
[0106] The mobile app software is preferably further adapted to
enable a user of the wireless, telephony subscriber device to
"check in" at respective locations from a plurality of locations. A
"check in" refers to an operation that is performed via the social
network application (e.g., through the mobile app software) to
permit the user to indicate through the social network application
the current whereabouts of the user. This location may be displayed
on the user's profile page, be communicated on a map interface
provided by the social network application, or may be communicated
directly to the wireless, telephony subscriber devices of friends.
The communication may occur in substantially real-time as the
performance of the check-in operation in certain embodiments.
[0107] In some embodiments, the check-in operation may identify a
location from a plurality of locations that are defined in the
social network application and, preferably, includes places of
business. The plurality of locations may include user defined
locations as directly input via the software on subscriber
devices.
[0108] In some embodiments, the mobile app software provides
selections for the user to control visibility of the user's current
location (and/or related content) to other users of the social
network including friends of the user and customizable lesser
subsets of all friends of the user. The user may select specific
friends from a list to permit (or prohibit) viewing of the user's
current location and location-content. Pre-defined groups or lists
of friends may be defined for selection for this purpose.
[0109] In some embodiments, the mobile app software provides input
capabilities to receive one or more comments to be automatically
posted to the account of the user, the one or more comments being
specifically tied to respective locations identified by
functionality of the wireless, telephony subscriber device such
that friends of the user as selectively permitted by the user are
able to view the one or more comments of the user on a map
interface at the respective identified locations in substantially
real-time as the user who posted the one or more comments is at the
respective location.
[0110] In some embodiments, the number of check-ins are counted for
specific merchants for users of the social network application.
Incentive offers are then communicated depending upon the specific
number of check-in operations performed by respective users. In
this manner, users of the social network may be rewarded for
loyalty to specific merchants and for participating in the check-in
functionality of the social network application.
[0111] Also as discussed herein in regard to operations of apps and
wireless, telephony subscriber devices, activities of users of the
wireless, telephony subscriber devices are preferably logged (e.g.,
as stored in DB 2118 and/or DB 2116 in FIG. 22) where the logged
activities include device use, app use, and even real-world
activities as discussed herein. These activities may be inferred
from location data and/or device use data. Alternatively, an
individual user may explicitly input data to indicate the current
activity of the user. The activities may be presented for review by
other users and/or may also be employed to select advertisements
for users of the social network application.
[0112] FIG. 24 depicts a user interface that may be provided by
suitable software on a wireless device 2111 (e.g., by mobile
browser 2201 when it is executing suitable browser executable code
or application 2203). The interface includes "check in" button,
that when selected, causes the software to communicate a suitable
message to the social network application that identifies the
current location of the user for use by the social network
application. The location may be determined automatically using GPS
functionality or other wireless location algorithms. Additionally
or alternatively, the user may select a location from list 2302.
Additionally or alternatively, the user may define a location via
interface for the check in operation. The user may also enter a
comment via text control 2303 to be display with the user's current
location on the social network application. The visibility of the
current location may be controlled using visibility list 2304 to
select all users, all friends, a lesser subset of friends (e.g., a
number of friends less than the full group of friends), or no
visibility at all as desired by the user.
[0113] In some embodiments, the social network application is
adapted to facilitate substantially real-time posting of photos to
accounts (e.g., for display via profile pages) taken directly from
wireless, telephony subscriber devices of users of the social
network application.
[0114] In some embodiments, first mobile app software for operation
on the wireless, telephony subscriber devices is provided for
interacting with the social network application to access user
accounts of the social network application. The first mobile app
software may be browser executable code (e.g., an HTML variant) or
a mobile application. Second mobile app software (e.g., software
2202 in FIG. 23) for operation on the wireless, telephony
subscriber devices is provided for posting photos taken by the
wireless, telephony subscriber devices to user accounts of the
social network application. The second mobile app software is
adapted to directly interact with camera functionality of the
wireless, telephony subscriber devices to transfer a captured photo
to at least one social network application server (preferably with
photo metadata, that is data entered via data input controls by the
user of a respective wireless, telephony subscriber device).
[0115] The second mobile app software is preferably implemented to
function without requiring the respective user to log into the
social network application via the first mobile app software to
view the user account of the respective user. That is, the user can
simply take a picture using the camera functionality of the
wireless, telephony subscriber device and then post or transfer the
photo to the user's account without requiring the user to interact
with the social network application through the conventional user
account mechanisms (including navigating to the user's login page,
initial web page, selection of a photo tab from the initial web
page, etc.).
[0116] On the server side of the social network application,
messages from the second mobile app software are automatically
parsed and the photos are automatically posted to users accounts
with data entered by the respective users as parsed from the
messages (e.g., by photo server software of server platform(s)
2105). Preferably (but not required), the automatically parsing and
automatically posting occurs through separate server functionality
than provided for web page access of user accounts of the social
network application. The photos and messages become available for
viewing on the social network application web pages of the
respective users in substantially real-time.
[0117] In some embodiments, maps or map applications are provided
in which wireless, telephony subscriber device data is presented
over a map of a geographical region (see, e.g., map interface 2600
in FIG. 26). The device data may include subscriber analytic data.
Alternatively, the data may include specific subscriber
information. The logged activities (current and past activities) of
subscribers may be presented on the maps. Also, in some
embodiments, subscribers are able to identify specific areas that
are excluded from data gathering according to subscriber privacy
preferences.
[0118] In some embodiments, wireless device use data is received
from multiple wireless, telephony subscriber devices by the at
least one mobile device analytic server. The received wireless
device use data is processed to generate subscriber analytic data
and other data. Web queries are received from third-parties (e.g.,
other subscribers, advertisers, or other users). Web pages or web
applications are communicated in response to the received web
queries according to an internet protocol to the third-parties,
including visual presentation of selected data items.
[0119] In some embodiments, each communicated web page or web
application includes a display of a map of a respective
geographical region and summary indications of wireless, telephony
subscriber devices within the respective geographical region that
are currently in use. The maps may further display the summary
indications for subscribers that match subscriber or device
criteria specified in the corresponding web query. Also, the web
page or applications may display summary analytic data specific for
different mobile applications employed on multiple, wireless
telephony subscriber devices or display specific summary analytic
data for different types or groups of mobile applications employed
on multiple, wireless telephony subscriber devices. For example,
all subscribers currently employing "gaming" applications or
"social network" applications may be displayed on the map depending
upon the specific supplied criteria. Trending analytics may be
employed (e.g., current activity or recent activity data compared
to longer-term typical or average analytic behavioral values).
[0120] When implemented in software, the various elements or
components of representative embodiments are the code or software
segments adapted to perform the respective tasks. The program or
code segments can be stored in a machine readable medium, such as a
processor readable medium, or transmitted by a computer data signal
embodied in a carrier wave, or a signal modulated by a carrier,
over a transmission medium. The "computer readable medium" may
include any medium that can store or transfer information. Examples
of the computer readable medium include an electronic circuit, a
semiconductor memory device, a ROM, a flash memory, an erasable
programmable ROM (EPROM), a floppy diskette, a compact disk CD-ROM,
an optical disk, a hard disk, a fiber optic medium, a radio
frequency (RF) link, etc. The computer data signal may include any
signal that can propagate over a transmission medium such as
electronic network channels, optical fibers, air, electromagnetic,
RF links, etc. The code segments may be downloaded via computer
networks such as the Internet, Intranet, etc.
[0121] Although representative embodiments and advantages have been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the
scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to
the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture,
composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the
specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate from the disclosure that processes, machines,
manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps,
presently existing or later to be developed that perform
substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same
result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be
utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include
within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture,
compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
* * * * *